SWINE FLU UPDATE 4/30/09: NO CASES OF H1N1 INFLUENZA IN HAWAI‘I

State officials today reiterated that there are no confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in Hawai’i.

Major General Robert Lee, state adjutant general and director of state civil defense, and Chiyome Fukino, M.D., state health director, issued the following joint statement:

“We have no confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in Hawai’i. There were no changes during today’s daily conference calls with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control.

“The state will continue to communicate with our federal, county and private sector partners on each island as we monitor the changing conditions of the H1N1 influenza.

“Our surveillance program at the airport which has been in place since 2005 and features on-scene diagnostic capabilities has been expanded to include domestic, as well as international flights, and incoming cruise lines into our harbors.

“At this time, the public should remain alert, informed and prepared, but should not overreact. We want to reassure the public that we are taking every precaution to keep Hawai’i residents and visitors safe.”

Governor Linda Lingle, Major General Lee, Dr. Fukino and other state officials will hold a news conference on Friday, 2:30 p.m., to provide the public with updated information.

The Hawai’i State Department of Health has set up an information line – (866) 767-5044 ext. 3 – where the public can call to get up-to-date facts on H1N1 influenza. The information line is toll-free and staffed by trained professionals who will answer questions from Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The call center staff consists of professionals who have been trained in public health emergency service information. In addition, recorded messages (updated daily at 7 a.m.) are accessible seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Additional information on H1N1 influenza can also be found on the Internet:
Hawai’i Department of Health: www.hawaii.gov/doh
Office of the Governor: www.hawaii.gov/gov
Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/swineflu

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)